Man things (and a video)

Every time I would come over Murphy would jump on me, scratching my bare legs with his thick doggy claws and if he wasn’t jumping he was panting and staring at me, all the while emitting a subtle doggy smell. When I put two and two together and realized that John let Murphy sleep up in his bed with him I freaked out, “Gross! That’s just so disgusting.”

“Why? He’s just a dog. He doesn’t even shed and he’s hypo allergenic.”

“Hypo allergenic? A dog can be hypo allergenic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“He’s not that bad, you just have to get used to him. I promise. And you would never let a dog sleep in the bed with you?”

“No,” I snapped, “Never ever.”

That was five months ago. Now Murphy spends every single day at my place while John goes into his office. The little white fur ball follows me everywhere and we even cuddle – on couches, on beds, anywhere we can. Benjamin adores Murphy. The two wrestle, chase each other and even play hide and seek. I just can’t imagine our life without that damn dog and I am completely smitten.

One day we were sitting outside of the coffee shop and a few older ladies walked by (they always love Murphy).

“How long have you had him?” they asked.

“Well, he’s actually my boyfriend’s but I am just in love with him.”

“And the boyfriend too, you love him too right?”

“Oh yes, absolutely.”

“Good, because that would be kind of awkward if you didn’t.”

I love old ladies. They’re so blunt and honest, they speak my language. After they walked off I sat there with Murphy realizing just how far I’ve come in five months. I went from barely believing in love to feeling it in every moment. I am surrounded by love from John, Benjamin and yes, little Murphy. And to be honest, I am not sure who fell in love with who first but now there are the four of us… all in love with each other.

A happy foursome.

I’m telling you this story because I think it’s amazing how much we can change when slowly introduced to something new by someone we love. Slowly being the key. So there’s something else I used to hate with a passion, aside from dogs, and it was football. Back in the day someone at my old job gave me tickets to an Ohio State game and I left them in my mailbox at work, completely forgot about them. They went unused and I got a bit of a lecture from my co-worker, “If you’re not going to use them, at least give them away. Don’t leave them sitting there for everyone to see on Monday morning.”

Yeah. Football. Not really a fan.

But John Bear loves it, which means Benjamin loves it…

The other day Benjamin was even talking about some guy named Jerry Rice (is that right).

I don’t even know. Knowing that John Bear loves football and knowing that it can’t be easy dating me, I chose the Football mission this month for the Fiesta Movement.

So happy for you, and I know exactly how you feel, but know how John Bear feels even more. Knowing you are in love, feeling you are in love, and then realizing that the person you are with is in love with you is a beautiful thing. Learning that even as an “old dog” you can learn new tricks (and by no means do I think any of us are old dogs, but we surely got hurt and set are in our ways).

Cute dog, looks like you’ve felt how unconditional they can be. Stick with this, I truly feel that your label as a single mother isn’t going to change, you just might have to remind the readers of your journey.

Planing a forum post for the guys, because there is hope for us when we date a single mother.

I totally relate to you about football. My Fiance is a huge football fan, and I cannot get into it. It’s boring, and I don’t understand it! He’s already taken me to 2 games, and I finally told him to take a friend next time. We can’t have ALL the same interests! I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy football.

I am so happy for you. Watching this love story unfold has been edge-of-your-seat good stuff. Thanks for sharing it with all of us…. and yeah – football? not a fan either… but I have found myself also fond of ‘different’ things now that Mr. M. and his boys are in my life….. Wow – that love bug can do a number on us, can’t it!?

It’s sweet that Benjamin uses those. I used to have them sitting on my dresser. Jerry Rice is the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. Barry Sanders (the other guy) is prob top 5 running backs of all time. Has John gotten him a football yet??

Yup, we need to start a Ford-needs-to-give-Alaina-the-Fiesta movement. How do we do that? Is there a petition we can all sign? C’mon Ford! The good vibes will just keep coming, not to mention the great advertising!

And sorry you had to endure football. Soccer has taken over Seattle. Not nearly as boring, as they never take breaks!

I betcha they’ll let you keep the car in the end. Like how on Survivor and all those shows, at the end they say, “here, have a car.” Dude, that is so your car already. Too many experiences in it to have to give it back, don’t you think?